Echo Times

Issue date: 11/28/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Joshua Samuels Representatives from Swinerton Inc., the management and consulting firm contracted to renovate College of Marin, met with students on November 17 outside the Learning Resource Center building to answer questions.

Major changes to the College of Marin will soon become readily apparent to students, faculty members and the Marin County community. The force that will bring this change is the "Green Project" or "Green Vision," that college officials hope will bring COM to the forefront of California's junior colleges.
Green, the traditional color of environmentalism or environmental awareness, represents the central component of plans to revamp the school's facilities, curriculum, reputation and community appearance. The college is looking at sustainability and regenerative design to revitalize the campus and curriculum with an environmentally aware guiding vision.
After Marin County voters approved Measure C on the November 2004 ballot, COM received $249.5 million for a facilities modernization plan. Officials say the Green Vision will guide the construction and education master plan. Nothing is decided as of yet, but planning is underway with every idea and possibility being examined by the board of trustees, architects, engineers, staff, student government and faculty.
The most obvious changes will come when construction crews begin digging for the foundations of new buildings that will follow national standards of green architecture and engineering. This campus facelift is scheduled to begin in 2006. Old buildings will undergo renovation as well.
COM is thinking "green" in the planning phase: recycled water, energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and garbage disposal are included in the environmentally-friendly construction plan. Even specific locations of where to plant shade trees and position buildings in order to maximize shade and sunshine exposure are being given consideration. The Green Vision seeks to reduce the environmental footprint of each COM student.
"There are literally tons of ways to infuse green practices into COM," said Andrew Carothers, interim director of communications and community relations. Ideas range from using energy-efficient, zero-emissions campus shuttles to adding environmental studies programs to the curriculum. The educational master planning process is being examined and fine-tuned to include green courses. A green campus and curriculum will make COM the standard for junior colleges. "That's the concept," said Carothers.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools